Review by Renu G -- Island Games by Caleb J. Boyer

[Renu G]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Island Games" by Caleb J. Boyer.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Island Games: Mystery of the Four Quadrants is written by Caleb J. Boyer. I wholeheartedly rate it 4 out of 4 stars. This novel is beyond my expectations from a 12-year-old author. He conveys a level of spirituality unusual for his age. His creativity, intelligence, and writing skills are incredibly impressive. Teenagers will enjoy reading it. Adults who wish to take a break from work will also find it entertaining.

It consists of 23 chapters. The story begins with two friends Matthew and Ryan coming to consciousness only to find themselves stranded on an island. They think they have been kidnapped, or someone is playing a trick with them. As they proceed into the heart of the island in search of food and drink, they encounter challenges which are typical of 3-D video games. The story is fast-paced as if one is watching it on a screen. It runs through four quadrants of the island, each with their own landscape. After successfully overcoming obstacles in each of them, the boys are rewarded with four mysterious keys. They use them at a later stage when they find themselves in the center of an inactive volcano.

In the backdrop of these events, the two friends repeatedly see dreams of being with their families. Moreover, they see a bizarre dream of being in a laboratory. It seems to convey a message they go about trying to crack. Ryan is a character who is extra careful about his appearance and likes to charm girls. He is the goofy one. Matthew is the practical one with more interest in hanging out with Ryan. Their friendship is strengthened because of their interdependence on this island. They behave like average boys in the author’s age group. With every step, they grow in caution, resilience, and team-spirit. They learn from their mistakes and begin to believe in themselves.

I cannot forget mentioning how they are repeatedly in situations of eating the last bite of whatever they have carried in their backpacks. Their survival instinct compels them to keep searching for more. The author very creatively places challenges like bridging chasms, killing beasts, and passing through invisible walls, etc. Their success is always rewarded with food packets and water bottles. The duo trust in divine providence in the face of danger and uncertainty. They feel guided by an invisible hand who seems to have planned it for them. As they persevere through it all and support each other, they are blessed with everything they need to remain alive. I liked the two of them equally. They make a very good team. What I disliked most was the dream of being in a laboratory. It looks disrespectful to human beings.

I was so engrossed in the story that I felt quite exhausted. The novel ended abruptly, leaving loose ends. It looked like a drawback but soon became a strength. Boys and girls of their age are faced with uncertainties about the future. This seems to be reflected in the kind of ending. Caleb conveys a beautiful message through this book. I’m sure other readers will also enjoy it.

It is very well edited. I did not detect any error in spelling or grammar. In addition to my rating and comments in the first paragraph, I would also like recommending this book for youth who love to play video games. For a change, they could read instead of being glued to their gaming gadgets. This will assist them in their academic life. Youth clubs could have discussions on the story and its characters. It has an educative value. I’ll be delighted to read more books by this author in the future.

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Island Games
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[Renu G]

Has anyone else reviewed this book? I would like to read what were your thoughts about it.